Nine Thailand golfers through
Impressive Raththee leads the way for local hopefuls at Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage
>> Nine Thai golfers secured Asian Tour cards through the qualifying school at the par-72 Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club in Bangkok yesterday.
The top-35 players and ties at the tournament were awarded Asian Tour cards for the 2017 season.
The best Thai performer in the event was Raththee Sirithanakunsak, who finished tied for fifth on 22-under after a final round 66.
He was six strokes behind Australia’s Richard Green and Todd Sinnott, who both carded 28-under 260.
Green topped the class when he defeated Sinnott with a birdie at the first play-off hole to secure his playing rights at the Qualifying School Final Stage presented by the Sports Authority of Thailand.
With his top-five finish, Raththee also earned the rights to play at the season-opening Singapore Open next week.
Tirawat Kaewsiribandit was one stroke adrift on 21-under following his final 65.
Arnond Vongvanij was tied for 17th on 17-under. Arnond, who won the Asian Tour-sanctioned King’s Cup in 2012, made a 66 yesterday.
The other Thais earning tour cards were Settee Prakongvech, Ekhumrong Luanganuruk, Peradol Panyathanasedh, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol, Namchok Tantipokhakul and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan.
Meanwhile, Green earned his tour card on the back of a gruelling week which saw him complete with distinction at the Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club.
The 45-year-old marked his card with a nine-under-par 63 to sign off with four-day total of 28-under-par 260 which is the third lowest ever score in the Asian Tour history for a 72-hole scoring.
It was also a sweet redemption for Green after suffering the agony of losing his European Tour card last season by about US$20,000. With his playing status on the Asian Tour now secured, the smiles are also now back for Green.
Despite being defeated in the play-off by his role model, Sinnott was delighted to post a final round 62. His closing 260 total was also the lowest score he has ever signed for in his career.
China’s Zheng Ou-yang was among the top-35 players and ties after posting rounds of 65, 66, 70 and 67 to finally make the grade after a previous failed attempt last year.
EURO TOUR FOUNDER DIES
In Virginia Water, England, John Jacobs, the captain of the first European Ryder Cup team and a tour official on the continent, has died. He was 91.
The European Tour announced the death of its “founding father” on Friday. A cause was not provided.
Jacobs played for Britain at the 1955 Ryder Cup in California and was instrumental in later bringing together Europe and Britain.